Westar asks Kansas regulators for $32M rate increase

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Westar Energy is seeking a nearly $32 million rate increase to help upgrade pollution controls at one of its coal-fired power plants.

The Topeka-based utility filed its request Monday with the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Westar says the increase would raise monthly electric bills about $7.50 a month or less for two-thirds of its residential electric customers. The impact on the other one-third could be higher, but Westar says it’s not sure by how much.

At the same time, Westar also wants to cut rates for large and medium-sized businesses. It says those rates have risen faster in recent years than the electric rates for businesses in neighboring states.

The new revenues would finance pollution control improvements at Westar’s La Cygne (luh-SEEN’) plant in eastern Kansas.